cafe
Caffeine & Machine: The Bowl
The Bedfordshire location set in a dramatic former quarry bowl, opened in 2023 as the brand's third venue.
19 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Hitchin
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Hitchin
Hitchin is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Pirton, 39km from The Backs, Cambridge.
Hitchin is in England, United Kingdom, with about 35,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Pirton, about 4 km away.
Hitchin ( ) is a market town in the North Hertfordshire district of Hertfordshire, England. The town dates from at least the 7th century. It lies in the valley of the River Hiz at the north-eastern end of the Chiltern Hills. It is 16 miles (26 km) north-west of the county town of Hertford, and 35 miles (56 km) northRead more
of London. The population at the 2021 census was 35,220.
Hitchin grew around a market place and the adjoining parish church of St Mary on the western bank of the River Hiz. At the southern end of the town centre is Hitchin Priory, a former monastery dating back to 1317, which was partially rebuilt into a large country house with extensive parkland following the dissolution of the monasteries. The ancient parish of Hitchin covered a large rural area as well as the town itself, including several hamlets which subsequently became separate parishes, including Langley, Preston, St Ippolyts, and Walsworth.
The town's economy was historically based on serving as the market town for the surrounding agricultural area, which was primarily arable with some sheep farming. Lavender has long been grown in the fields around the town, and an early industry in the town was lavender distilleries.
The Great Northern Railway built its main line from London King's Cross to York through the town; Hitchin railway station opened with the line in 1850. The Cambridge line opened shortly afterwards, diverging from the main line just north of Hitchin, which therefore became an important junction station. The A1(M) motorway passes Hitchin a short distance to the east. The town's historic character and accessibility make it popular with commuters.
Where to Stay in Hitchin
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Hitchin?
Within an hour or so of Hitchin: Caffeine & Machine: The Bowl (19 km), ZSL Whipsnade Zoo (21 km), Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - Making of Harry Potter (30 km), Bletchley Park (32 km).
Are there any good drives near Hitchin?
The nearest famous roads are Crystal Palace Circuit and Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Where is Hitchin?
Hitchin is in England, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Pirton.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 35,220
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.9492, -0.2850
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Hitchin
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
The UK's largest zoo set across 600 acres of Bedfordshire parkland with drive-through animal enclosures.
21 km · about 25 min drive
film location
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - Making of Harry Potter
The Leavesden studios where all eight films were shot; the tour preserves the original Great Hall, Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Express sets.
30 km · about 35 min drive
museum
Bletchley Park
Victorian estate where Alan Turing and thousands of codebreakers cracked the German Enigma cipher, arguably shortening WWII by years. Restored huts, working Bombe machine, and the National Museum of Computing next door.
32 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Aston Martin Works Heritage
The spiritual home of Aston Martin at the original Newport Pagnell factory, offering heritage servicing, restoration, and sales.
33 km · about 40 min drive
landmark
King's College Chapel, Cambridge
Pinnacle of late Gothic architecture with the world's largest fan vault ceiling and Rubens' masterpiece altarpiece, an icon of Cambridge University.
39 km · about 45 min drive
scenic viewpoint
The Backs, Cambridge
The famous riverside meadows behind the Cambridge colleges, offering iconic views of King's College Chapel, the Bridge of Sighs and punts on the Cam.
39 km · about 45 min drive
cafe
High Beach Tea Hut
A simple roadside tea hut in Epping Forest that has been a legendary biker gathering spot for decades.
39 km · about 45 min drive
Driving roads near Hitchin
2 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
- 39 kmThe Backs, CambridgeThe famous riverside meadows behind the Cambridge colleges, offering iconic views of King's College Chapel, the Bridge of Sighs and punts on the Cam.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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